Aging bodies and keeping up with maintenance.

[Ken Wolkens]

I was 51 years old when I sold my 390 EC and was glad to see it go. Here in Florida because of the heat and humidity I've learned that maintaining a boat can be a real challenge physically. Keeping up on the exterior and constantly fighting mold in the cockpit was not the issue for me as I'm in excellent (lean) physical condition except for an old shoulder injury. Doing the topside work was not the problem.

My number one nightmare was the engine room. Even when the engines had not heated up the bilge it was almost always 80 degrees down there even first thing in the morning...nearly every single day. During the day it's the last place you want to be with ambient temps in the mid 90's let alone the humidity making it feel like 100. Add the required contortions to get into the space required when sweat is pouring down into your eyes and soon one understands where the term "Hot Head" comes from.

I realize the answer to maintenance is finding someone to do it but that is easier said than done. No-shows, arrive whenever, lack of cleanliness/care, and outright theft from "Mechanics" here in the land of pirates is common place. The previous owner had a mechanic doing his maintenance that was billing for work that was not done I suspect because the owner was not going down and verifying the work. As a result I'm inclined to do my own maintenance.

The previous owners words "Do it while you are young" still resonate in my head as he was 72 and in good lean condition when he finally threw in the towel. So my question to the group is more of a poll of how old are you and are you still doing all of your own maintenance?

 

[ttmott]

Hey Ken - I was at the port where you kept your boat several months ago and didn't see it... Do you still have the slip and lift? I'm a bit older than you; actually quite a bit.... I do the maintenance I enjoy or what's convenient but washing and waxing the boat I leave to others. Cleaning and painting the bottom is not for me either. But, I really enjoy doing the updates and upgrades to the boat. Except for the major diesel mechanic stuff I still do most of the maintenance in the engine room but that is slowly transitioning to my mechanic who is top notch but he wants to retire soon. I think the last time I saw you I still had the 400DA.... I miss that boat in many ways.

 

[fwebster]

I'm like Tom......I enjoy working on my boat, but there are a few tasks my 75 year old bones and muscles plus a damaged shoulder that is refusing to cooperate won't tolerate well any longer. For those, I use 3 of the 12 mechanics at our marina. They are guys I know well and trust, plus they love working on a clean, pristine well maintained boat so I don't wait for service when I turn in a work order. I've had boats at this marina for over 30 years, and that helps. There are more and more things I choose to hire others to do but I still do most everything except stbd seawater impellers and pump repairs, and aft head system repairs (a masochist at the Palm Coast factory planned that location.)

I owned a 390EC for 10 years and bought a 450DA when I decided to trade up to a diesel powered boat. I happened upon a 6 month old 450DA and that changed my life as far as ease or difficulty of getting to things on the bilge. Take a look at a 450DA and you will be amazed at what one could do for your maintenance difficulty.

 

[dtfeld]

I’m 52 and just getting to the age where stuff is starting to need more care ( both me and the boat). I massively herniated a disk in my back on New Years Eve while on a trip and I’ve since been trying to recover and avoid surgery. Boat projects have ground to a halt, except I’ve pulled out the schematics to research electrical bugs that have been on the punch list like the Sea Fire remote and the port Air Inlet Heater not working on the 3126.

Here on the Lake, very few people will touch a diesel boat, not even oil or fuel filter changes, so I have to do everything. It’s slow going as I take the time (and expense) to find the root cause and fix it right the first time. You won’t get that from most trying to make a living working on boats.

I enjoy most of the work, and the CSR community makes it all the better with advice, encouragement and a good sounding board.

However, I told my wife when we bought the boat a couple of years ago, I want it now, not when I’m too old to do it and enjoy it. That day will come. Luckily it’s not here yet.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

I’m 55 and I think I’m in better shape than a lot of 55 year olds BUT years of beating my body up is coming back to haunt me. I have the boat washed monthly and waxed 3 x a year I just can’t do it in this heat in FLA now. I do ALL repairs except the big diesel stuff and ALL maintenance oil filters/ samples etc
As I’m not working any longer my body hurts a lot more that’s for sure just going into the Engineroom is a small task. I know the bills can add up quickly and it’s hard to find someone you can trust otherwise pop some Advil and pour a bourbon after the trip to the Engine room.

 

[Ken Wolkens]

Hey Ken - I was at the port where you kept your boat several months ago and didn't see it... Do you still have the slip and lift? I'm a bit older than you; actually quite a bit.... I do the maintenance I enjoy or what's convenient but washing and waxing the boat I leave to others. Cleaning and painting the bottom is not for me either. But, I really enjoy doing the updates and upgrades to the boat. Except for the major diesel mechanic stuff I still do most of the maintenance in the engine room but that is slowly transitioning to my mechanic who is top notch but he wants to retire soon. I think the last time I saw you I still had the 400DA.... I miss that boat in many ways.

Hi Tom,
Nice to hear you are still in the game.

When the 390 sold in August of 2019 I gave up the lift at Bluepoints. I'm now considering another big cruiser after a year with a 25' Cobalt bow rider. I realize I miss the cabin and Air conditioning. It was a nice get-away.

I remember our age difference and didn't know how much of your own work you did. It sounds like you've got it figured out. Having a much newer boat helps considerably as well. I'm taking notes and learning lessons.

Ken

 

[fwebster]

Ken,

Here are some photos of the "stand up" engine room on a 450DA. Lots of days I don't leave the marina for lunch and just eat a Cuban sandwich while sitting on a oil bucket in the bilge!

 

[my3sons]

Like the others, I enjoy working on the boat, it's a labor of love. I am very fortunate that my 65 year old body still thinks it's 50 and I can do everything required and still walk pain free the next day, for the most part I also would hate having to work in the hot humid conditions the OP mentioned but am lucky in that when working on the engines on a sedan bridge, I am in the salon with the air conditioning running. It's actually a little better than working on it in April inside the unheated storage building wearing bulky Carharts, although those help keep the bruises to a minimum.
The last hired help I had on a boat, not counting surveys and canvas work was an insurance job on our 360 when I hit a log and partially tore off an underwater exhaust outlet. It didn't shear off cleanly as it should have and it fractured the fiberglass a little around the bolt holes and needed glass work.
I couldn't do it though without a great helper. My child bride that is 2 years my junior is an awesome tool handler/assistant and can lay on bottom paint like no other.

 

[crazy diver]

 

[crazy diver]

Pictures speak louder than words...enough said!

 

[HawkX66]

Ken,

Here are some photos of the "stand up" engine room on a 450DA. Lots of days I don't leave the marina for lunch and just eat a Cuban sandwich while sitting on a oil bucket in the bilge!

Shoot, I'd sit there just to stare at it all. It's like artwork, only mo bettah.
I'm 47. After nine years in the Marines and the rest of my life beating the hell out of my body doing this and that, I'm feeling things a lot more than I used to. A few years back I was picking up one of our cars and loading it in my car trailer at our house in Florida after having reacclimated to north eastern US winters. I forgot how that kind of humidity can kick your ass. After a 22 hour drive south, I got out of my air conditioned truck and almost got back in to go back north lol Now that we're in SE Virginia instead of the northeast, I get that humidity in the summer. I'll take it over snow though...
I'm not going to bitch about draining gallons of sweat over my engine in the summer during a repower. Thems is first world problems lol

 

[Woody]

My wife and I just had a discussion on selling the boat this past weekend. I'd sell it now, she says 2 more years, so 2 years it is.

I've always done virtually all upkeep and maintenance but it has become hard the last couple years. I'm behind on the waxing, I have to get caught up this spring and I'm dreading it. This mainly because of legs and knees, kneeling is out, flexibility is no more. I've become less active in all respects and now I fight with my weight, something that all my years was never a issue. The ability to 'squeeze in' to some places is more rare by the year.

Yes I could hire all the work done but the few times I have have left me with a bad taste. Just a tip...when one of the 'pro' mechanics you hire is actually named Mr. Dolittle you'd be wise in hanging around and supervise the job. And then there's last springs waxing, I decided to try a guy, rub rail down, he was supposed to be the 'best', I get 100 bucks an hour he said. He won't be touching my boat again. It seems half the people I dealt with in regards to boats, from purchase to maintenance are guilty of boat owner abuse.

I'm 71, some how I've gotten old in the last 10 years, the clock is winding down but I'm confident there is life after boats.

 

[Chip S]

Pictures speak louder than words...enough said!

That looks like me with my last boat (26 foot inboard). After seriously pulling a muscle in my back trying to fix an oil leak I decided that all future boats would be outboards. Working on the engine with the boat on the trailer is so easy. Everything is at chest level when I'm standing on the ground. Some times I'll use a step stool to get a little higher, but most times I don't need it. I can't imagine trying to maintain an inboard again.

 

[Woody]

Ken,

Here are some photos of the "stand up" engine room on a 450DA. Lots of days I don't leave the marina for lunch and just eat a Cuban sandwich while sitting on a oil bucket in the bilge!

I hear you. There's been a few times when my wife hollers to me, 'what are you doing in there now' and I say 'just sitting here having a beer'. It's a guy thing.

 

[OllieC]

I'm older than some and younger than a few on here.
I have a lot of respect for you all maintaining boats your size. Love reading the other threads of your projects. I can usually wash and wax the Weekender in a day and then I'm fried. I couldn't imagine waxing the size of your boats or the bill to have someone else do it. Engine maintenance and updating I really enjoy, with the exception of being a contortionist at times.

Ken - If you're thinking of getting back into it, as Chip S mentioned, there are some fine outboard cruisers currently on the market.

Woody - For what it's worth, if I was up there (someday), I'd help yah. All I'd ask is you supply beer. Spent a shinny nickel on a Makita polisher that only gets used once a year.

 

[Windjammer]

My "mind still writes checks that my body can't cash", and now pushing mid 70's, I have "retired" from changing impellers on the 8.1's..it's money well spent to pay someone else to do this! I still enjoy most everything else - it just takes me longer to finish!

 

[JC3]

I got so frustrated that I sold my boat. Now that's not the only reason but by far the biggest reason. I had one significant health scare that has resolved itself and several other minor ones (Diverticulitis). Some days I feel 45 and others I do not. We are about to get a 28ft Marinette that needs some work but is doable. Actually looking forward to it. I hope to have at least 10 years or so of boating left.

 

[dwna1a]

First remark I have is this, Frank when I win the lottery I will be more than happy to take over any maintenance that stunning boat may have! As long as you are willing to teach me some of your skills.

Im 63 now, have a zipper in my chest and missing some veins in my left leg. For the past year I’m dealing with a new issue. All that said, I don’t live in FL, how in hell folks can deal with the humidity down there I don’t know.

Changing impellers is the worst for me, Rochesters to my chest hurt and can hurt for days afterwards. My arms look like I’ve been chewed on by the dog. One lady saw them and lectured me on drinking to much, swore to me the were liver spots. Even with all that pain I love working on the boat. I like tearing pumps down to see if they can be rebuilt. I’ve got great boat neighbors, they have been my go to folks. I’ve even found them down in the engines sometimes before I get there.

Your stories of shop guys in your area make me want to go buy my shop guys a good long bottle of bourbon. Hampton Marine has even told me how to do a job to save me the labor fees. If I could I’d come down and help you out.

 

[SeaNile]

Apparently I’m young enough to be doing the maintenance on my boat but unfortunately I have zero skills. I often give it my best and stop before I make things any worse. I’ve got a few friends that often lend a hand but lately I’ve found a really good mechanic who I trust.

 

[bahamabreisus]

I am 65 yrs old, had a widowmaker 2 plus yrs ago. I am 6'2" and 225lbs. Grew up playing hockey and football, so I beat myself up pretty well. Still try to do most of the smaller stuff. I have some great friends on the dock that are a little younger and always willing to help. But it does seem like I hire out more stuff all the time. Getting old is not for the faint of heart.